Town officials discuss state reimbursement

NORTHBOROUGH - A potential $1.5 million swing in reimbursement had selectmen from Northborough and Southborough at loggerheads over how the $8.5 million in state funding should be distributed.

Dan McDonald/Daily News staff

A potential $1.5 million swing in reimbursement had selectmen from Northborough and Southborough at loggerheads over how the $8.5 million in state funding should be distributed.

The funding is to be distributed between the two municipalities for renovations to the Algonquin Regional High School. The renovations, which have been ongoing for several years, are near completion.

A million-dollar-plus swing in credited debt hangs in the balance, said Jason Perrault, vice chairman for Northborough's financial planning committee, last night at Algonquin Regional High School library.

Under Northborough's reimbursement proposal, the district should distribute the funding through the parameters outlined in Mass. General Law Chapter 70B. Such an interpretation would mean that Southborough owes $1.5 million more for the renovations.

Southborough disagrees. That town's Board of Selectmen said the two towns should receive reimbursement in compliance with a regional agreement that has existed since 2000.

"Facts remain that this project was approved under the regional agreement and not (under Chapter 70B)," said Southborough Selectman Bill Boland.

Boland cited the state's refusal to endorse Northborough's position in making his case for the continued use of the regional disbursement agreement.

The state Department of Education has not offered an opinion on the two distinct disbursement proposals.

Such silence proves that there is ambiguity surrounding the interpretation of Chapter 70B, according to Paul Gaffney, chairman of the Northborough-Southborough School Committee.

Northborough resident Jim Casella called upon Gaffney's committee to rule in favor of one proposal or the other.

"It behooves you people to get off the so-called pot and make a decision and let the chips fall where they may,"said Northborough resident Jim Casella.

In response to Casella's comments, Gaffney said his committee was "steadfastly dedicated" to avoiding litigation.

Southborough Selectman Sal Giorlandino also said he wanted to avoid the litigation process.

John Boiardi had no such misgivings. The Southborough resident said he would not be opposed to litigation because $1.5 million could "buy a lot of lawyer time."

The three municipal boards tentatively agreed to continue negotiations and to meet again on Oct. 1. Gaffney encouraged both boards to begin forming negotiation committees - entities that would be responsible for attempting to find some common ground on the issue.

(Dan McDonald can be reached at 508-790-7475 or at dmcdonal@cnc.com.)

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